You Can Be Me When I'm Gone

By JailQueen

Author's note: I do not own either Once Upon a Time or Stargate Atlantis.

Some/many of these OC characters are in a sense not OC's, since they must by default have existed in some form or other in days passed in the SGA universe. I just gave them stories and names.

Chapter I

You rip it from my hands
And you swear it's all gone
And you rip out all I have
Just to say that you've won

Well now you've won

But I gave you all

-Mumford & Sons

There was something dwelling in the forests of the planet. The woods were deep and grew across the surface of the planet only broken by the occasional twining river or creek. The creature in the forest had been there for so long that time was easier to count by centuries, than by single years. He had been banished there long ago from a realm overrun by a greedy, vengeful soul, with no feeling for subtlety or consequences. Strong magic had sent him here, and he knew it had cost her most dearly to achieve his banishment. She had searched far and wide across many lands looking for, and finding, the right instruments and devices to send him so far away that he may never find his way back again. She now owed many powerful people many favors, and as always the thought of what she'll one day be made to pay, made him smile.

Reflecting on his surroundings, he had recently concluded that he was not entirely miserable. When he first came through to this planet, he'd been filled with such rage that the trees around him had died and turned to ash. He could leave the planet, yes, but were would he go in this new universe? He had raged through the forest, unconsciously sending trees and massive rocks flying with willpower alone. After he'd walked across the surface of the planet he simply stopped. And while he stood there watching the setting sun above the trees, feeling tears dry on his cheeks, he felt a calm he hadn't felt since the day his newborn son had clasped a tiny hand around his finger. A sense of loss equally strong came upon him and slumped to his knees, feeling more human and tired than he'd done for centuries. This time however there was finality to the loss, unlike the time he'd lost Baelfire and Belle. Then he had felt powerless and weak, unable to complete what he'd set out to do and failing to even comprehend what the loss itself implied. The feeling of being cheated and robbed was there now as well, but they felt somehow unimportant and distant. He knew he was done, and that all his schemes would remain only in his mind. The thought of being outside it all and everything being beyond his reach was somehow empowering. It had been so long since he'd arrived there. The trees he'd destroyed in his anger had long since grown back and now stood strong and thick in the green moss. He stopped eating soon after he'd arrived and learned to live of the air and the moisture it provided. Sometimes he imagined being part of the forest. The Dark Curse within his heart seemed to have gone into hibernation now that there was nothing to hate or desire.

Sometimes people came to his forest. They walked into the shadow of the trees from the center of a large metal ring with carvings along the brim. When it first came to life and the water-like vortex puddled in its center he'd watched curiously from his hideout. He had seen things like it before in the land where he'd lived. Portals that led to other worlds through mirrors and doorways were a rarity, but he was pretty sure that this one merely transcended space, not realms. By the look of the people who came through he concluded that he must have been sent not only to another realm, but also to another time. Strange folk with hair as white as their skin and dressed black leather robes. They walked with authority and seemed always to be looking for something. They had no names; Rumplestiltskin knew this because by that time he had learned every name ever bestowed upon a living thing. They needed no names for their roles were clear and so were their directives. Those wearing masks were drones and thus held no greater value. Others were unmasked and wore markings that declared their social standing and military rank. They were all soldiers and so far he had seen no females, which led him to conclude that they were either homebound or fewer and considerably higher up the food-chain. He'd watch them from the tall trees and follow them around, jumping smoothly from branch to branch. Sometimes he feared he was becoming more animal than human, but quickly laughed the thought away. He hadn't spoken to another soul for longer than was healthy to contemplate.

xxx

Then one day others came. Humans. Men, women and children. There were about fifty of them all dressed in rags and giving of such strong vibes of panic that he himself felt mildly uncomfortable watching them ambling through the portal. They had with them carriages carrying bags of grain, old weapons and garments and alongside them walked half-starved cattle. They moved slowly away from the circle into the west were a mighty river flowed. Rumplestiltskin followed them soundlessly through the undergrowth, watching their progression with keen eyes. He hadn't seen humans for longer than he cared to remember and felt somehow lonelier and further away from them than ever, watching them make their way through the narrow passageways between the old trees. The woman leading them reminded him of someone from his past, though he couldn't quite remember who. She had a strong face and clever eyes the same color as her hair which was a radiant grey. Her age was hard to ascertain. He knew her name was Sanya and that she had remained strong and unbreakable through ordeals that no-one should have to live through. Her eyes were determined, but also fearful for she worried for the survival of her people. He knew that she had come to this planet as a last resource when the floodgates finally broke and the enemy overwhelmed them. She was tired now because she didn't know what else to do. She glanced over her shoulder at her people and her eyes misted and she forced herself to look back towards the sunset ahead of her. She had no idea what she was supposed to do now; all she knew was that she had to keep them alive and that no-one else was going to do it for her. She hoped that strength would find her again and she silently prayed to her gods for guidance. She stopped when the person behind her stumbled and she ordered them to stop for the night. While her people settled down between the trees and tried to make a fire out of damp branches she felt as if someone was watching them. Her grey eyes narrowed as she spied into the gathering dark, hoping that whatever was watching them was benign. The fire suddenly flared bright and hot as if it had been burning for hours, making them all jump. Rumplestiltskin smirked at their shocked expressions from behind an ivy-clad ash tree in the deep shadows and watched them gather around the fire, warming their cold hands and bodies. Only Sanya remained standing on the same spot watching for movements in the ancient forest, slowly being swallowed by the night.

The night was uneventful and soon passed. When the sun rose in the east they set of again after a meager breakfast of dry bread. They continued west, struggling with their carriages and cattle through the trees. When they reached the riverbank they were all exhausted and a few of them ran out into the cool water and drank their fill. Sanya smiled and by doing so looked ten years younger. Rumplestiltskin couldn't help but to grin as watching them play in the water like young children, which from his perspective they were. He instinctively knew that this is where they'd settle down and so they did. Time moved quickly and they soon began to make this refuge a home. It turned out that they were able people, inventive and fast at learning. They pushed the forest back from the riverbed and built small houses from the wood. Over the next few years they cleared away more of the forest and planted grain and oats. A small village formed by the river and from the shadows the people who lived there were always watched by golden-grey eyes. In the setting sun Sanya would stand by her bedroom window watching the woods while her lover lay sleeping in bed after a long day's work. She was always waiting for the watcher to appear. And one day he did.

Sanya pushed away from her window and grabbed her jacket that lay discarded on the floor and rushed through the house and out the front door. She ran down to the river bare feet and breathless. She slowed down when she reached the shore and stopped about four feet from a boulder on which he sat. He fixed her face with his large eyes. Old eyes. A frown lingered on his brow and a smile danced in the corners of his mouth. His skin shimmered in the moonlight and his wavy hair moved serenely in the breeze. He was dressed in dark leather clothes that wouldn't have looked misplaced on a dragon.

"You've been looking for me, haven't you, dearie?"

His voice was high and sharp, but not unkind. He gazed into the still water of a small puddle formed next to the river and seemed surprised by what he saw. After some hesitation Sanya asked him what was wrong. After a time long enough to make her regret ever asking he answered.

"Oh, it's nothing, dearie. It just that…"

He touched his face thoughtfully and then continued, more to himself than to her, while baring his sharp, white teeth at his reflection, "It seems indeed as if ones appearance is somewhat reflected on what is on the inside. How keen."

His penetrative gaze settled on her again and when he stood she took a step back. She straightened herself up and realized that she was at least a head taller than him.

"What do you mean?"

The man bared his teeth again, more like a soundless growl than a smile.

"Never you mind." He hissed acerbically.

She blinked a few times feeling distinctly ruffled by his sharp response but stood her ground and decided to try to bring the conversation back to normality.

"My name is Sanya Emmagan. I come from a planet called Athos and was made to leave there with my people to escape the Wraith…" She stopped talking when she noticed that he'd stopped looking at her and was instead studying his long dark fingernails with some interest. She crossed her arms and he let out a small giggle.

"Are you even listening to me? Why am I even talking to you if you're not gonna listen?" She blurted out in frustration but was interrupted by Rumplestiltskin sneering:

"Why indeed?"

She sighed and looked at him sternly. "What are you anyway? You don't look human and you don't look Wraith. You certainly don't look Asgardian. What are you?"

As soon as she'd said it she wished she hadn't. Even to her ears it sounded rude and hostile, and she felt like she was shrinking, or perhaps he was getting larger, as his eyes flared up in anger. She prepared herself for an onslaught that never happened.

"Now, what business is that of yours?" he snapped at her with some forbearance and shot her a furtive glance.

He looked tired and irritated. He turned slightly and looked to the ground while wrapping one arm across his shoulder and the other around his waist. Sanya had so many questions but decided to keep them to herself from now on. Or at least try. She lifted her hand awkwardly into the air in front of her, quite like a student hoping to attract her teacher's attention, and took a few tentative steps towards him.

"I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but I need to know at least this: do you mean us harm? When we passed through the forest all those years ago I felt eyes upon us from the start, and I wondered… What is it you want?"

There was a pause then in which she stared at the man who she'd been looking for so long. Even though he scared her, she couldn't help but to be mesmerized by his very nature. He was powerful, strong and carried with him a wisdom and knowledge only possible to gain through living too long. She thought he was beautiful when he stood there looking out over the river in the first light of dawn. His skin and eyes alike had a grey-golden gleam to them. She wondered where he'd come from.

"I came here not by choice or by will, but this is regardless of that the place where I am. I have been here longer than I was there, and I will most likely remain here longer still. You and your people barged in here and I don't mind your presence as long as you don't mind mine. Keep out of my way and I'll stay out of yours. You may build and hunt and grow as you please and I won't stand in your way as long as you keep away from the eastern woods. That is my home and I do not wish to be disturbed."

His eyes were on her again, and at the sight of them she could do nothing but acquiesced to his will. The Stargate was positioned in the eastern woods and to not have access to it might greatly weaken them. Or maybe not. She knew this creature was powerful, she could feel it in her bones; perhaps even powerful enough to hold back the Wraith should they attack.

"It's a deal." She said resolutely and held out her hand.

The creature's eyes widened and he grinned as he clasped her outstretched hand with his own.

"You know, no-one breaks deals with me, dearie. It goes bad for those who try." A mischievous glint had befallen his eyes and his smile seemed to grow shiftier as he spoke. She let go of his hand, which had been warmer than she'd expected, and took a few steps back. As she did he stepped towards her and glanced at her with an amused look on his face.

"What if one of my people were to enter the eastern forest unknowingly or unbidden? What if a child would wander in there on a dare? What then would be their fate?"

He stared at her disbelievingly for a moment and then rolled his eyes.

"Then I'd toss 'em back out again!" He snapped in his high-pitched voice.

He chuckled silently to himself whilst watching his long fingers and hands moving across each other with a demonic glee in his eyes and a wry grin on his lips. Sanya relaxed minutely and turned to watch the flowing river.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

She received no reply, so she turned back to face him again, only to discover that he'd gone. She smiled to herself and walked slowly back to her house and her sleeping lover. It wasn't until she'd reached the front door that she realized she hadn't asked for the man's name. When she thought of what it might be it felt somehow forbidden, and she put it out of her mind for a time.